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Ariel Castro to Undergo Competency Evaluation

Jun 27, 2013 |

Ariel Castro has been ordered to undergo a competency evaluation to ensure he understands the charges against him.

During a pretrial hearing today, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Russo said that he’s exercising caution in ordering the review, which will be conducted Thursday. The results are expected in a week to 10 days.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Timothy J. McGinty said he has “no doubt” that Castro is competent, but “we understand the court’s caution.”

The lawyers for Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight, said in a news release that the women are eager for the ordeal to end.

“The longer this process lasts, the more painful it is for them,” Knight’s lawyer said in the release. “And the more sordid details of this horror that get disclosed in this process, the more painful it is for them.

Ariel Castro, who is accused of keeping Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight captive for a decade, was in court for his second pre-trial hearing before Judge Russo.

Castro was at the hearing today, but again kept his head down and answered with a barely audible “yes” when asked by Russo if he understood the proceedings.